[MULTISUBup]EP25/33 嫁金釵 Where the Mask Ends|Tian Xi Wei/Yan An|杨龙执导|周末编剧|田曦薇/闫桉领衔主演|王一楠/尹文萱/毛林林/孔琳/恬妞/代高政/杨青/李佑川/潘珺雅等特别出演|优酷

ADAPTED FROM JIA JIN CHAI, ORIGINAL NOVEL BY XIAOJIAREN ON JINJIANG LITERATURE CITY The sun's gone! Lu Zhuo! - Run! - Everyone run! Lu Zhuo! - Get out! - Run! Run! Leave now! Wei Rao! Hurry! - The sun's been swallowed! - Run! What should we do? Move! Wei Rao! You knew everything outside was in chaos. {\an8}You're always so careful, so determined to protect yourself. Why did you throw yourself into the crowd? If the sun never rose again, I didn't want to die alone. I won't let you be alone. Wei Rao. How long do I have to wait? Right here, right now, I can give you my answer. This is grander than a royal princess's wedding! Her Ladyship is a blessing to everyone she helps. She's truly blessed. To marry a woman like her, Lord Lu must be the luckiest man alive! A hero and a beauty, a match made in heaven! Congratulations! May Her Ladyship and Lord Lu stay together forever and love each other for life! Lord Lu is back. BLISS You're certainly making yourself at home. What are you reading? FARMING METHODS You're quite devoted to farming, Your Ladyship. Even on our wedding night, you can't put it off. You took so long, so I picked up something to read. What are you looking at? Just looking, like you. You're… You're blocking my light. My mistake. What are you reading, My Lord? Curious, Your Ladyship? It's brighter over here. When did you steal that? Give it back! That bridal booklet… Weren't you the one who peeked at it first? Don't you dare bring it up. Your Ladyship. Don't you think I'm better than a book? DUKE'S RESIDENCE HERITAGE PRESERVED, GOODNESS PROCLAIMED I'll take care of it. But, My Lord… BLISS Time to get up. It's okay. I'm right here. What time is it? Shouldn't we be paying our respects to the elders? I had someone apologize for us already The sun's already high in the sky! You're trying to have me laughed at. I did try to wake you. You wouldn't wake up. And whose fault is that? Go get Aman to help me get dressed. All right. The maids are too slow. Let me attend to you, Your Ladyship. Are you crazy? Put me down! She's the one threatened by the Han family to falsely accuse our family. I hear Her Ladyship took her as a sworn sister. And from now on, she'll be living at the Duke's residence. Wei Rao had the nerve to marry into this family again. Grandfather already disapproves of her. Now she's bringing in some ill-mannered country girl with no morals. She's gone too far! Why are you bringing this up? Changning, don't go! Lady Wu'an may throw her weight around outside, but once she enters the Duke's residence, she must obey the family's rules and elders. Once Grandfather hears, she'll be in trouble. Stop right there! You're the fraud who set up our family at the ancestral temple. How dare you come here? Who are you people? Xiao! You're scaring her. Greetings, Your Ladyship. Xiao is my bodyguard. He didn't scare you, did he? He's so crude and ill-mannered, hardly like a bodyguard. When the Hutuo raided they seized Xiao's cattle and sheep. He chased them for miles and recovered half the herd with bare hands. Later, the governor robbed the people and tried to flee the city. He even offered the Hutuo gold and silver. Xiao, what did you do? Chopped him into mincemeat. How can you keep someone like that around? My personal guards are all refugees I've taken in. They're not bloodthirsty killers. This cruel world left them no other choice. Don't worry. Xiao only cuts people up. He doesn't eat them. Starting today, Hongxian will study etiquette with you. Changning, Changhui, take good care of your new sister. Hongxian has only just arrived. She may not know the capital's latest styles. I think we're about the same size. I have a few newly tailored dresses. They're all the latest styles. Xiao, you go and help Hongxian answer questions. Aman, go with them. Have you decided on courtyards yet? Need anything? I'll get it for you. My Lord won't blame me for scaring your sister, will you? Come on. I have something to show you. I had the servants pull up all the flowers in this garden and plant alfalfa instead. It survives cold and drought and grows easily. It makes horses strong and well-fed. Especially this purple alfalfa. Will it grow in barren hills and valleys? Why wouldn't it? Wei Rao. This humble weed can turn wasteland into grazing land. The army needs plenty of fodder, too. You went to all that trouble finding these seeds just to please me? Sounds like this gift is just what you wanted. Your Ladyship. How will you thank me? I happen to have a fine sword that cuts through iron like butter. How about I give you that? I've never been on a swing before. Give me a push. Where did you get that sword? General Qi gave it to me. He also gave me a bow he made himself. Push me higher. Why did you push so hard? Wei Rao. You didn't know what's love. Your heart is full of cold suspicion and distrust. You keep testing me and hurting me. You tear my heart to pieces just to feel safe. But if you keep provoking me, there's no telling what I'll do next time. You knew what I was like, yet you married me anyway. If you ever learn what love is, you'll have me by your side, and me only. What if I never learn, not in this lifetime? Then in this lifetime, you'll still be mine. I don't know what my brother sees in her. He passed up the virtuous Lady Xie to marry that temptress instead. Just look at the people she brought home. No. I'm telling Mother. We can't have fugitives living here. She has a noble title and a fine reputation. Even Grandmother favors her. If you complain, you'll only get yourself in trouble. So we just let her do whatever she wants? What's got you so worked up? My lady, we've had little rain this spring. Second Madam ordered the backyard wells cleaned. And in one of the wells, we… we found a body! We were just about to report it to Second Madam. Which well? The one behind Songyue Hall. The abandoned well in the woods. Come on. Let's take a look. Your Ladyship. They found something in the woods behind Songyue Hall. A body. Your Grace. Grandmother. Governess Miao, tell her. Your Ladyship. The body pulled from the garden well today has been identified as one of your attendants. Governess Wu. Governess Wu? Your Ladyship, you've only just married into the family. We shouldn't have to trouble you with this. But the imperial court issued a decree long ago. Anyone who abuses a servant to death must be severely punished with a beating. And Governess Wu came with you from the Wei family. Given her age and position, she deserved even greater respect. How could you have her killed on a whim? Of course, in noble households, a servant or two dying isn't unusual. The authorities don't act unless someone reports it. - That's right. - But a family like ours, known for honor and integrity, cannot afford a reputation for abusing servants to death! - What a disgrace that would be! - Enough. The Lu ancestors defended the nation and its people. Brave generals died in battles. Their loyalty and courage are still praised today. If our family welcomed a cruel, murderous daughter-in-law, what would the world think of the Lu family? We don't even know how she died. Perhaps she slipped and fell into the well at night. Aunt. Those woods are deserted. No one ever goes there. If Her Ladyship did kill her by accident, she should admit it now so we can decide what to do. If a censor brings charges later, we'll be ready to handle it without dragging my cousin into this. Enough. - What proof do you have? - Bring it in. See? What's the meaning of this? The silver needle was inserted into her throat. It came out completely black. Governess Wu was clearly poisoned! If you had nothing to do with her death, why were you so certain she'd returned to the Wei residence? Rao, dear, what on earth happened? I'll smash your head in! I do owe this family an explanation. - That's… - You're asking the wrong person! You should be asking me. Grandfather, Grandmother. There's no need to pressure Wei Rao. She's taking the blame for me. Taking the blame for you? That old woman snuck into my study and tried to read my military reports. Zhao Song caught her in the act. She took poison and killed herself. I meant to have her body removed, but I didn't want to alert her accomplices. I feared the news would upset Her Ladyship. So I had the body disposed quietly. After that, I suspected there were more spies in the residence. - So I set a trap to catch them. - My dear. I know you can't bear to do it. But national security was at stake. Leaving her body intact was already more mercy than she deserved. Zhuo. Even if that old woman was a spy, she served Her Ladyship. How can you say she had nothing to do with it? What else are you suggesting? - That Wei Rao is a spy, too? - I… If she were a spy, Han Liao would've framed the Lu family successfully. You wouldn't be standing here spouting nonsense! I spoke out of turn. But I was only looking out for you and the Lu family. What's so surprising about that? Even in Lu Zhuo's Songyue Hall, that servant Anfu was bribed into a traitor, right? Traitors are everywhere. You can never be too careful. Rao, none of this is your fault. I'm sorry you had such a fright. Thank you, Grandmother. When I learned my servant had done wrong, I was terrified. I should've told the elders sooner. The misunderstanding today could be avoided. She was a spy. Killing her was justified. You couldn't even get the facts straight. Is this how you run the household? You've made fools of us all. I… I failed to look into it properly. I nearly accused an innocent woman. Please forgive me. I'm at fault, too. I should've asked Lu Zhuo first. Yes. An upright heart leads to upright conduct. Enough. The matter is settled. You may all leave. What are you around for? Waiting for a reward? Rao. Come rest with me. Pay them no mind. Don't let such petty troubles weigh on your heart. What's gotten into you, child? What were you thinking? Back in the hall, you didn't stand up for your cousin-in-law. Instead, you stirred up trouble for an outsider! Aunt. It was only a servant who died. Do you really think the court would punish Her Ladyship for that? They made a fuss just to put Her Ladyship in her place so she wouldn't be so overbearing. Aunt. I was looking out for you, too. A daughter-in-law outranking her mother-in-law, and doing whatever she pleases, is bound to cause trouble someday. If Mother keeps listening to her schemes, there'll be no end to the trouble. - Zhuo, you've misunderstood. - Mother. Weiyu belongs to the He family. It's time she went back to her family. Let Uncle arrange a marriage for her. Zhuo, what… what did I do wrong? Are you sending me away? Aunt, you… Zhuo, dear. Your cousin Weiyu grew up by my side. She's no different from my own daughter now. She's young and doesn't know any better. She said some foolish things, but surely that's no reason to send her away. I'm trying to save her. Wei Rao's maids are mostly palace old-timers. Lady Li sent them to make sure her daughter was treated well. You stirred up trouble against her. and accused Her Ladyship of killing a servant. If word reaches the palace tomorrow, what do you think will happen to you? Zhuo, I didn't! Please save me! Weiyu! Rao's mother adores her daughter. How could you be so foolish? Zhuo, I understand what you're saying. I'll write to my brother at once and have him take her home. Until the He family comes for her, I'll keep her to her room. She won't be allowed to wander around. Could you do me a favor and apologize to Rao on Weiyu's behalf? - Aunt! - Please, say no more. Weiyu may be foolish, but at least Mother knows better. - I know. I know. - Zhuo! I did it because I love you. That's why I said those things. But I haven't done anything serious. I know I was wrong! I really do! Zhuo! You… I'll leave her alone from now on. I worked so hard to keep her by my side. And you tried to drive her away and come between my wife and me. That is unforgivable. Send her back soon. I don't want to see her again. Zhuo! - Zhuo! My cousin! - That's enough! Stop. Be quiet! No matter who you're angry with, don't take it out on your health. Rice porridge is good for your stomach. At least have a little. Why? Who asked you to lie for me? Try it. Answer me. Answer what? That night, by the well, you clearly saw me there. I lied to you. Don't you want to know how Governess Wu died? Maybe I was afraid she'd expose my identity, so I killed her to keep her quiet. Lu Zhuo! You covered for me without even asking! Because I trust you. You'd never harm the innocent. You're a man of honor, with integrity beyond reproach. Please don't do it again. Don't do what? Don't keep giving in for my sake. {\an8}Don't compromise your principles for me. {\an8}And don't lie for me again. Everyone wants the person they love to be sincere and innocent, kind and selfless. But that's not who you are. And that's fine. Whether you had no other choice or you're coldhearted by nature, as long as it's you, I'll always help you. Marriages between noble families are built on mutual respect and courtesy. When hardship strikes, the families could support each other, and that's enough for a good marriage. You… You don't have to be so good to me. Wei Rao. Crossing boundaries means losing control! And I hate losing control! I'm sure the Duke has warned you repeatedly {\an8}not to get carried away by romance. {\an8}We must listen to our elders. I've sent your military books and bedding to the study. You're heartless. We're newlyweds, and you're already kicking me out? Your noble families believe too much indulgence shortens one's life. From now on, we should share a bed on the first and fifteenth of each month. I'm tired. You may go, My Lord. It's only been two days. Good night, My Lord. HERITAGE PRESERVED, GOODNESS PROCLAIMED You're certainly on your guard, Your Ladyship. Get off the bed. You know I can help you. You should be holding on to me. Why do you keep pushing me away? What are you so afraid of? That you'll depend on me too much? Or… Are you afraid falling in love with me? You think awfully highly of yourself, My Lord. Well, I'm not leaving. I told you not to marry me. Tell me, what kind of couple is as strange as we are? Then we'll be a strange couple. You can hate me or refuse to love me for the rest of your life. We can fight every single day. I'll still hold you in my arms. Let's get by together. A lifetime between you and me. - How is that not love? - You… I'm tired. You brought this on yourself. Once I claim something as mine, I'd rather die than let it go. So never ask me to let you go. Not in this life or any other. What's wrong? You're freezing cold, My Lord. I don't want to sleep next to you. Go sleep at the other end. I forgot you can't stand the cold. My mistake. Allow me to warm your bed, Your Ladyship. Lu Zhuo! DUKE'S RESIDENCE Your Ladyship lends grain to the villagers using a large measure, but asks to repay with a smaller one. To thank Your Ladyship, they pick the freshest wild greens in the hills and carry them all the way into town. You refuse them, so they leave the greens and run. They bring more every day. What should we do? Your Ladyship, the Fourth Prince is here. Rao! Rao! Put them down. Rao. These fresh oranges are tribute from the south. Mother told me to bring them all to you. That's a lot of wild greens. Can you eat them all, Rao? No, I can't. Take them with you. Your Highness. You are not here only for the oranges, right? Nothing gets past you, Zhuo. The palace is hosting a spring banquet. I was sent to invite you, my sister. Come, Rao. Lady Zheng wants to host a peace offering between you and the Crown Princess. A peace offering? On the Spring Purification Festival, you may bring her to the palace with you. Have a drink together and bury the hatchet. Then Mother can be at ease. And this peace offering… Am I invited? It's a spring banquet for the palace ladies. You're of course not invited. But Mother will be there, so you have nothing to worry about. Since Lady Zheng has been so gracious, I'd be happy to accept. Take these baskets to the kitchen. Mulberries spoil quickly. Share them with everyone. Yes. Every time I go to the palace, something bad happens. Lady Zheng's brother, Zheng Tan, is clever and capable. But the younger generation is mostly mediocre and spoiled. Not one fit for major roles. Now you've married me, the Zheng family is even more anxious. You're that intimidating, Lord Lu? Then I should've married you sooner. Whatever they're planning, we'll deal with it when the time comes. These oranges are sweet and tangy. Want to try one? Here, take it. Lady Hongxian. Here. {\an8}SPRING PURIFICATION FESTIVAL Your Highness. I hear you have grown close to the Crown Princess lately. Forgive me for saying this, but the Crown Princess is no kind soul. You're beautiful, gentle and gracious. Don't let her manipulate you into making trouble for my sister. You've been spying on me, Your Highness. Now you have the nerve to question me? Your sister is ambitious and arrogant. Why should I put up with her? While you practiced music and painting beneath the wisteria, my sister's hands were raw from forced labor. The world has never been kind to her. Yet she gives everything she has to help those in need. How can you bring yourself to hurt someone like her, Hualou? Your sister stole the man I love. Is my brother-in-law the only brave, handsome man in the world? Beautiful as you are, surely you can find another husband. Don't you know? I'm about to marry Prince Fu. I don't have a choice. If you want a husband of noble birth, am I not a prince, too? Have you lost your mind? You're four years younger than me! How dare you toy with me like this? A beautiful lady like you has a heart worth more than gold. Even if you've done something wrong, someone else must have led you astray. Promise me. Don't go against your own heart just to make an enemy of my sister. Please? If you'll only give me a chance, Hualou, what's a four-year age gap? Age difference wouldn't matter. I wouldn't care. - That was so close! Try again. - So close! Go play with them. Lady Li. Lady Zheng. AUSPICIOUS DAYS, JOYOUS GATHERINGS Lady Wang. Rao. You needn't trouble yourself, Crown Princess. We're sisters. Rank doesn't matter between us. Things have been tense between us lately. As your older sister, I was at fault. I was thoughtless and hurt your feelings. I sincerely apologize. I hope you'll find it in your heart to put our differences behind us so we can be close again. Everyone knows your sister is generous. Besides, you both bear the Wei name. You're family, after all. Making such a grand apology only makes her seem petty. Thank you. Rao, you must be tired. Go sit down. Rao. You haven't met her yet. This is Yi Jiang. She serves Prince Fu. She's skilled at divination and reading faces. Just now, she even helped Lady Wang find her missing pearl bracelet. Yi Jiang, come here. Read my Rao's face, would you? Yes, Your Ladyship. Greetings, Your Ladyship. No need for formalities. YI JIANG, PRINCE FU'S FAVORITE CONCUBINE Your forehead is broad. Your eyes shine like morning stars. That shows wisdom, clarity, and keen insight. Your upper features are open, and your jaw commands respect. You were born for greatness. Thank you for your kind words. Your Highness once had a sister. Your fates are at odds. Like two stars that never share the sky, you must never meet again if you wish to live. Otherwise… Otherwise what? Your Highness already knows the answer. There's more. You face three deadly trials in your lifetime. Each time, more dangerous than the last. I pray you earn enough good fortune to survive them all. Deadly trials? What if she can't get through it? Bloodshed and death hang over her. If she cannot get through it, then I'm afraid her death is fast approaching. She will not live past her twenties. ‪NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED ‪IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW